This hand arose in a rubber bridge game and North-South had a 60-point partial. They could close out the rubber by making three diamonds.

West's opening heart lead won the trick and he continued with the jack to East's ace. East saw that there was no chance for a defensive trick in clubs, so the only hope was to score two spades, two hearts and a trump. Should West hold the jack of diamonds, the defense would have the needed trump trick. Also, a third round of hearts would promote a trump trick if partner held the nine of diamonds.

East feared that a third heart at trick three would give declarer some winning options. South would likely be able to ruff with the trump jack, cash two high trumps, and start running clubs. Should a club finesse be needed, it would work. South would be able to discard a spade loser as East ruffed the third round of clubs. What to do?

The solution was to score two spade tricks before playing a third heart. East underled his ace of spades to West's king, won the spade return with the ace, and then played a third round of hearts. West's precious nine of trumps meant down one. Nice defense.

There was a risk that South had a singleton spade and could ruff the second round, but then the contract could never be defeated.